Effect of outer hair cell membrane piezoelectric properties on the receptor potential under high-frequency conditions

Abstract

We have found that the band pass characteristics of the cochlear outer hair cell can be improved by introducing the piezoelectric properties of the cell membrane. In contrast to the conventional analysis, the cell membrane receptor potential does not tend to zero and at any frequency is greater than a limiting value. The piezoelectric properties cause an additional, strain-dependent, displacement current in the cell wall. In short cells, we have found that for the low-frequency value about 2-3 mV and the strain level 0.1% the receptor potential can reach 0.4 mV throughout the whole frequency range. In long cells, we have found that the effect of the piezoelectric properties is negligible.